Let them eat headsets —

Microsoft: Xbox One will include a headset after all

Also, play without controller batteries by using a USB cable.

Remember a few weeks ago when Microsoft caused a minor stir by saying that the Xbox One wouldn't include a headset out of the box? Turns out that's not the case anymore. Like so muchelse regarding the system, Microsoft has reversed its position and decided to include a headset with the Xbox One after all.

Xbox Community Manager Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb showed off the included headset in an unboxing video for one of the first production units of the system. That video, posted today, shows the unboxing for the limited "Day One" edition of the system, which is already completely sold out. Microsoft has confirmed that all systems will include the standard headset: a 44 gram padded earpiece with a bendable, rotating boom mic that allows it to be used in either ear.

Microsoft is also using the unboxing to highlight the previously known ability for all Xbox One controllers to plug into the system directly using a standard USB micro cable. When plugged in, the controller's wireless radio will turn off and the controller will actually be powered by the system, eliminating the need for batteries. If you have a play and charge kit, you can also charge the controller as you play through this standard USB connection rather than the proprietary cable used on the Xbox 360.

Microsoft is making a big deal of the HDMI cable it includes, a Category 2 wire rated for 1080p, 3D, and 4K on the HDMI 1.4 spec. The system also upgrades the Xbox 360's current A/B/G/N wireless functions to include dual-band support on 2.4 and 5 Ghz frequencies.

While I'm glad they're actually using a normal USB cable this time round, it still doesn't remove the need for an expensive extra to make your wireless controller chargeable.

USB cables are expensive? Here is one for $2.70 from Monoprice. Is that too expensive for you?

Why on Earth is this comment an Editor's pick?

He was not referring to the USB cable, but the play and charge kit, which is necessary to make it chargeable.

383 posts | registered Jan 17, 2012

Kyle Orland
Kyle is the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica, specializing in video game hardware and software. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He is based in the Washington, DC area. Emailkyle.orland@arstechnica.com//Twitter@KyleOrl

How many more things are they going to change their mind about in regard to this system?

I hope they decide to go back on the reliance of the Kinect in order to use the system. If they drop that requirement (and actually drop the price) I'd certainly consider the system. Those are the remaining hurdles I have with the system.

Now they just need to get rid of Kinect entirely, and drop the price $100. It's the single most thing I have heard people complain about. No one wants a shoddy camera system. It might work well in tandem with an Oculus Rift, but not for a console on a TV. It was amazing to see so many E3 devs who were making Kinect games months earlier showing off the games with little to no Kinect functionality because it just doesn't add anything fun.

Anyone else notice at the end of the video the xbox logo on the XBOX one is the power button. It glowed blue when he turned it on.It was only white during E3. I wonder if you can choose the color you want to display?

This pattern of behavior is starting to look like a crappy ISP. They're giving as little as possible for as expensive as possible and only sweetening the deal when enough people threaten to take their business elsewhere, while simply providing a quality product would calm the masses.

While I'm glad they're actually using a normal USB cable this time round, it still doesn't remove the need for an expensive extra to make your wireless controller chargeable.

USB cables are expensive? Here is one for $2.70 from Monoprice. Is that too expensive for you?

Why on Earth is this comment an Editor's pick?

Because that doesn't make the controller rechargeable, it just negates the need for batteries. Making it rechargeable over USB would mean buying Microsoft's charge pack.

Of course, you can make it just regularly rechargeable by buying some rechargeable batteries and a wall charger. But Haravikk's comment is still accurate.

The aftermarket is bound to provide, but any theoretical 3rd party parts aren't going to be present at launch. If you want a Microsoft-approved solution, then it's not going to be particularly cheap.

The 360 equivalent is $20, and you need one per controller you want to charge (obviously.) Xbox One pricing will probably be similar. At least they're allowing the controller to act as a wired controller if you so choose--to preserve battery life or just keep using them when the battery is out of juice.

Now they just need to get rid of Kinect entirely, and drop the price $100. It's the single most thing I have heard people complain about. No one wants a shoddy camera system. It might work well in tandem with an Oculus Rift, but not for a console on a TV. It was amazing to see so many E3 devs who were making Kinect games months earlier showing off the games with little to no Kinect functionality because it just doesn't add anything fun.

The kinect shouldn't be used for much - just a few little things where appropriate. That's why it needs to be included - all of the little things together are worth it, but few would pay $100 to access them. Since it is included, it can be used.

I know they said they wouldn't do it, but we're getting ever closer to MS possibly dropping Kinect. They've shown they'll change if that's what people want. While I don't believe there's a chance in hell they'll drop it before launch, if Kinect proves not be a big selling point and the XB1 is losing ground to PS4 in 2014 because of the price difference, I think all these reversals shows that MS might indeed be willing to drop the camera in order to drop the price before the holidy 2014 season.